Help, am i ready!!!!

**Danni1984** · 20-11-2007, 12:23 AM

Hi, I m studying Biomedical Science in my second year. I want to apply for entry 2009. So i m going to do my ukcat test in June 2008. So hopefully i pass then can work on my personal statement. I want to know is that ok to do? I also do voluntary work in hospital in surgical ward. I work part time in Next as merit sales (higher than sale assistant position) I worked in next for 3 years now. I took part in open days so i was a student ambassador last year. I have a blog about medicine. In my spare time i go to gym, social, hiking and interest in animals. Do u think ready to apply? i want to become a doctor. do u think my skills are good?? please help me!!!
Thank you very much

**Dr C** · 20-11-2007, 12:41 AM

Hey Danni
So far not bad but you still need to do more IMO. firstly, research the schools you really want to go to. I cannot really tell you what every school asks, but usually a 2.1 is the requirement for GEM OK- just do a thorough research on the schools that you most want to go to.

The only advise I can give is that you should get some more people-orientated work experience and try shadowing doctors to see if it is what you really want (the idea may be seductive from afar but if you look closely you'll find a lot that might put you off) so shadow and research extensively so that you'll be certain medicine is for you! Also try talking to medical students because that is really the foundation of being a doctor, listen to what they say about medical school, their concerns, frustrations and sacrifices they have to make (trust me, it's NOT all roses).

You also need to prepare for entrance exams: UK CAT, GAMSAT or BMAT depending on the school you wish to go to (you'll find more on this purely by internet research). Then you need to start working on your personal statement (again you'll find proper guidelines by researching) and ask a medic to look at it be it a medical student, doctor etc to make sure that it fulfills the basic requirements to WIN you a place.
That's the basics of what you need to do as well as what others say.

You past time interests are OK, just try and relate them to medicine e.g. coping with stress in your personal statement and you'll be fine also try and do some team sports be it polo etc just to demonstrate teamwork. Lastly no-one can tell you (for sure) if you are ready and stand a chance of getting into medical school, only you have that answer. What you do- research and making sure that you perfectly fit the requirements criteria (and more) will ensure that you stand a chance. Remember, the competition is fierce you have to stand out more but more importantly you have to fulfill ALL the basic requirements and more, don't leave a stone un-turned! Once you've done extensive research (on medical school entrance and schools) and find you are struggling with a specific point PM me and I'll see if I can offer some help. Also if after doing everything from research to work experience, talking to medical students etc you find that you STILL want to do medicine (maybe wanting it even more), then you stand a chance to even think about competiting for places, it is not easy (can be frustrating and emotionally draining- I mean the application process and all the preparation that goes into it) and shouldn't be taken lightly. Research and preparation will ensure that you are making an informed decision.

I've just realised that I've written far more than I set out to,just research the specific schools you want to go to and set out to make sure you fulfill all of their requirements.
Anywhere I hope this helps a bit, best wishes.

**Danni1984** · 20-11-2007, 01:29 AM

Thank you Dr C. I have done research on my places. i shall do more in detail. I should join a sport 2. i have 2 options either do workplacement in labs at hospital in march ( which will last till august: full time position) or apply for med school. I think deeply i should do the workplacement and then apply for 2010 entry.

Thank you very much.

by the way are u a doctor?
xxx

**BrassMonkey** · 20-11-2007, 01:34 AM

Danni,

Have you checked that you can use your UKCAT the year after you've sat it? As far as I'm aware, it's not a thing that you pass or fail. It's more of a tool that the schools can use to compare candidates. I'm not an expert, so you'll need to check for yourself!

Anyhow, Dr C's advice is fantastic (I'm taking note myself!) and you've got plenty of time to follow it in time for 2009 entry.

Good luck!

**ekivell** · 20-11-2007, 01:24 PM

Originally Posted by BrassMonkey

Danni,

Have you checked that you can use your UKCAT the year after you've sat it? As far as I'm aware, it's not a thing that you pass or fail. It's more of a tool that the schools can use to compare candidates. I'm not an expert, so you'll need to check for yourself!

Anyhow, Dr C's advice is fantastic (I'm taking note myself!) and you've got plenty of time to follow it in time for 2009 entry.

Good luck!

Not to be pedantic - but if the UKCAT that Danni is taking is June 2008 - this is the correct time to take it for 2009 entry as 2009 entry UCAS forms etc would be posted out in October 2008. That was my assumption at any rate?

**tcdlewis** · 20-11-2007, 01:30 PM

Originally Posted by ekivell

Not to be pedantic - but if the UKCAT that Danni is taking is June 2008 - this is the correct time to take it for 2009 entry as 2009 entry UCAS forms etc would be posted out in October 2008. That was my assumption at any rate?

That is correct. For the '09 entry the UKCAT will have to be taken during the June-September 2008 period

**Dr C** · 20-11-2007, 02:07 PM

Originally Posted by Danni1984

Thank you Dr C. I have done research on my places. i shall do more in detail. I should join a sport 2. i have 2 options either do workplacement in labs at hospital in march ( which will last till august: full time position) or apply for med school. I think deeply i should do the workplacement and then apply for 2010 entry.

Thank you very much.

by the way are u a doctor?
xxx

If you feel that taking the job first is best for you then go for it, remember you can still use that in your personal statement to show why medicine is indeed for you e.g. you can refer to it as being another branch of patient care, teamwork etc or you can illustrate that a career in the lab is not for you thus proving that you have indeed investigated that medicine is for you by doing other things (these are the joys of applying as a mature student you can vitually use [positively] anything that you do). Maybe you can also try and do some work in a rest home or hospital HCA during the weekends or starting in August when you finish in the lab?

I wouldn't advice putting it off until 2010, try and work really hard to fulfill all the requirements and apply for 2009. If you don't get in in 2009 you can then ask for feedback from the schools and know what areas to improve on. Remember that medical school applications are submitted mid October so it is possible to apply next year and use the time from August-October wisely (doing your preparations).

To answer you question, no I am not yet a doctor. I am applying to read medicine this year but I have a bit of experience of what works as I got a place last year (but I am not saying that I know it all). In addition there are many doctors in my family, this helps a bit.
Best wishes X

**BrassMonkey** · 20-11-2007, 02:14 PM

Originally Posted by ekivell

Not to be pedantic - but if the UKCAT that Danni is taking is June 2008 - this is the correct time to take it for 2009 entry as 2009 entry UCAS forms etc would be posted out in October 2008. That was my assumption at any rate?

Oops! Obviously left my brain somewhere else... sorry...